Stephen Merchant dating Aussie beauty Rose Byrne

Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais' comedy partner, is believed to be dating Australian beauty Rose Byrne, after the pair were spotted leaving the cinema hand-in-hand earlier this week.

Stephen, who co-wrote The Office with Gervais and appeared in Hot Fuzz, beamed as waiting paps snapped him with Rose, who is in the UK shooting X-Men: First Class alongside James McAvoy, January Jones and Michael Fassbender. It was confirmed earlier this year that Rose has been cast as Dr Moira MacTaggert, a scientist who is also the love interest of Dr. Charles Xavier (McAvoy). SOURCE: DAILY MAIL